Important Dates

As we prepare for the 2026-2027 school year, please note these important upcoming dates:

• Meet the Principals: Join us at Jepson on Thursday, August 6th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM to meet our new Principal and Assistant Principal!

• Mandatory Orientation: Please attend one of our two family sessions on Wednesday, August 26th at 5:00 PM OR Friday, August 28th at 3:00 PM to get essential information for the year.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Bluejays! We are absolutely blown away by the generosity of our community during our "Day of Justice" event to support Yale Children's Hospital! 💙🩺

In addition to a massive wave of donated items, we collected $500 in cash donations! 💵✨ To make the biggest impact right away, our Magnet Resource Teacher, Ms. Barbara, and her son headed out on an epic shopping spree at Five Below in Old Saybrook.

It was such a success, it’s turning into a two-day adventure! 🎉 So far, we've spent $390 (with a receipt taller than us!) on lots of goodies for the Children's Hospital!

🛒 A huge thank you to the incredible staff at the Old Saybrook Five Below for being so friendly and efficient in helping us guide this massive purchase through the registers!

What's next? We still have $110 left to spend to bring even more joy to the kids. Once our next shopping trip is finalized, we will deliver the entire spectacular collection to Yale Children's Hospital.

Thank you, Benjamin Jepson family, for making this event a powerful expression of community and love!

#DayOfJustice #BenjaminJepsonSchool #YaleChildrensHospital #FiveBelow #BenjaminJepsonPride #BluejayPride #NewHavenPublicSchools

🌟 Jepson Day of Justice: Part 2! 🌟

Last Monday was an absolutely jam-packed day of community, leadership, and creativity for Part 2 of our annual event! Our amazing Bluejays spent the day working on special projects to bring joy and hope to the patients at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

Here is a look at what our students accomplished today:
🌟 Suncatchers: Students crafted beautiful, bright suncatchers to hang up and light up the hospital windows.
🌟 The Multi-Age Model in Action: Our 5th and 6th graders stepped up as incredible mentors, guiding our Pre-K and Kindergarten students to create heart spinners. It was a beautiful display of older leaders helping our youngest learners!
🌟 Kindness Chains & Walkathon: For every lap completed in our walkathon, students earned a strip of paper to build massive "kindness chains" that will be displayed at the hospital.
🌟 Garden of Hope: Students painted vibrant, uplifting rocks to be placed in Yale's Garden of Hope.

We are so incredibly proud of the empathy, leadership, and school spirit our students showed today. Thank you to everyone who made this day so unforgettable!

#JepsonDayOfJustice #BenjaminJepson #NHPS #MultiAgeLearning #KidsHelpingKids #SpreadJoy

💙 Welcome to the Bluejay Family, RJ!

Benjamin Jepson Magnet School is thrilled to officially introduce and welcome our new Assistant Principal, RJ Voelker! 🎉

RJ brings a wealth of passion, experience, and energy to our school community, and we are so excited for the incredible impact he will make. Please take a moment to read his full welcome letter to learn more about his vision for the upcoming school year.

Let’s give him a massive Bluejay welcome!

Annual Jepson Day of Justice

On Thursday, we kicked off Part 1 of our annual Jepson Day of Justice, and the energy was absolutely electric! This year, our amazing students took the lead and voted to support the incredible kids at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital.

To celebrate, the New Haven Police Department and New Haven Fire Department suited up to take on each other and our very own Jepson team in an epic, action-packed basketball game! It was a day packed with community spirit, big smiles, and unforgettable memories, all for an amazing cause.

Later in the day our team hosted a basketball clinic with our younger students teaching them how to dribble, shoot, and do layups.

We are officially collecting new games, puzzles, coloring books, crayons, and fun bandaids to bring some joy to the children’s hospital!

We would like to thank the members of NHPD and NHFD for joining us for this amazing event and we look forward to a rematch next year!

Building the foundation for success!

Our Pre-K classrooms are buzzing with activity as students dive into:

Letter Recognition: Identifying the alphabet through play and practice.

Formation: Learning how to write those tricky curves and lines!

Safety First: Practicing the "thumbs up" position while using scissors to build hand strength and coordination.

Check out these focused faces at work!

@nhpschoice

#BenjaminJepson #PreK #LiteracyBeginnings #FineMotorDevelopment #HandsOnLearning

🗓️ Mark your calendars, Bluejay families! We have an exciting and busy week ahead as we head into April Break. Here is what you need to know:

👕 WEDNESDAY (April 8): It’s Jersey Day! Students are encouraged to wear a jersey or shirt representing their favorite sports team. 🏀⚽️🏈

🌟 FRIDAY (April 10): We are hosting our Women’s History and Black History presentation and assembly!

Dress Code: Students are asked to wear a white shirt and jeans for this special event. 👕👖

Early Dismissal: School will dismiss early. Pick-up runs from 1:10 PM – 1:45 PM.

🏖️ NEXT WEEK: There is NO SCHOOL for April Break! We hope everyone has a restful and safe vacation.

See you in your jerseys on Wednesday! 💙

🌟 Reading is better together! 🌟

There is nothing quite like the magic of a story being told by a familiar face. We’ve had a wonderful time welcoming parents and family members into our classrooms to read to our students. Seeing our families engage with our young readers not only boosts literacy skills but also strengthens our school community. A huge thank you to all the parents and family members who took time out of their busy schedules to share their favorite books with us!

Spotlighting Our Morning Stars: Developing Leaders Through Daily Announcements

Every morning, our school community starts their day with our daily announcements—a critical moment to set the positive tone, share essential information, and connect. This semester, we are absolutely thrilled to have some very special helpers taking charge: our youngest learners from Ms. Giuliana's combined 1st and 2nd-grade classroom and Ms. Stacie's Kindergarten class!

Seeing these young students step up to the microphone with confidence and enthusiasm has been an inspiring highlight for everyone in the building. For them, it’s not just about reading a script; it's about developing leadership skills in real-time.

Being part of such an important component of our daily routine allows these students to practice:

Public Speaking & Confidence: It takes genuine courage to address an entire school, even from behind closed doors. They are learning to use their voices clearly and confidently.

Responsibility & Reliability: Being present and prepared for their specific role teaches them that others are counting on them.

A Sense of Belonging: By having a direct hand in our morning routine, these students feel a deeper connection and a sense of ownership within our entire school family.

Developing leaders starts at the beginning of their educational journey. We are incredibly proud of these students for modeling leadership and showing us all what it means to lead with a warm smile and a clear voice. Keep shining, morning stars!

Empowering Our Youth: NANBPWC Elm City Club Inspires Bluejays Through Literacy

At Benjamin Jepson, we believe that "it takes a village," and our village showed up in a big way! We were honored to welcome members of the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. (NANBPWC) - Elm City Club to our school as guest readers.

The ladies of the Elm City Club spent the morning in our classrooms, sharing stories that celebrate diversity, perseverance, and the joy of reading. As an organization dedicated to leadership, entrepreneurship, and service, these professional women provided our students with more than just a story, they provided a powerful example of community leadership in action.

Why This Matters
Seeing local professionals take the time to pour into our school reinforces the importance of literacy and lifelong learning. Our Bluejays were captivated by the guest readers, asking insightful questions and connecting the themes of the books to their own lives.

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the NANBPWC members who visited us. Your presence left a lasting impression on our students and staff alike. We look forward to continuing this wonderful partnership!

Celebrating Our Students' Success!

Today, we celebrated an incredible group of students who showcased remarkable growth in their academic assessments on DIBELS, NWEA, and iReady Diagnostic. These students have demonstrated dedication and hard work, and we are proud to recognize their achievements.

As a reward for their outstanding performance, these exceptional students have been invited to attend a game at the Hartford Yard Goats Baseball Stadium. During the game, they will be honored on the field, shining a spotlight on their academic success.

This achievement exemplifies the commitment of our students to their education and the support of our amazing staff and families. We are excited to celebrate their hard work and look forward to a fantastic game day!

Congratulations to all our scholars!

Announcements for Read Across America and Upcoming Events

Read Across America Week

🎉 Monday, March 2nd:
Kick off Read Across America with Hats Off to Reading Day! Wear your favorite or craziest hat to show that you love reading.

📖 Tuesday:
Join us for Words Have Power Day! Wear a shirt with a kind or inspirational message on it for us to read throughout the day.

📚 Wednesday:
It’s Dress Like a Book Character Day! Dress up like your favorite book character and bring a copy of the book to school to read. Students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade will parade around the school in their costumes.

😴 Thursday:
Enjoy Cozy Up with a Good Book Day. Wear your pajamas so you can be nice and cozy when you read today!

👩‍🎤 Friday:
Come to school for Crazy Hair, Don't Care! We Love Reading Day! Rock your craziest hairstyle!

Upcoming Spirit Day
⭐ March 11th:
Student Council listened to our students and have set another Spirit day! Mark your calendars for TWIN DAY! Find a friend, or two or three or more, and come to school in your matching outfits.

At Jepson, we celebrate thinking.

Our Math Bee competitions for grades 1–6 are complete, and our students impressed us with their focus, confidence, and problem-solving skills.

Top three finishers in each grade were awarded PEZ dispensers thanks to the generosity of the PEZ Company — a fun reward for some serious math talent!

We can’t wait to finish strong with our 7th and 8th grade competitions and award additional prizes made possible by our supportive local business community.

Academic pride.
Community partnership.
Bluejay excellence. 💙

Student Leadership in Action: Bridging the Gap Through SOAR

At Benjamin Jepson Magnet, we often talk about our SOAR expectations, but it is a special moment when those values are championed by the students themselves. This week, our school community witnessed a beautiful example of leadership and mentorship in action.

Leading by Example

While moving through the hallways, two of our dedicated Student Council officers noticed three of our 1st-grade students consistently demonstrating our core expectations. Whether it was showing respect, taking responsibility, or acting safely, these young learners were "caught" doing the right thing—not for a reward, but because it’s the Jepson way.

What made this moment stand out was the initiative taken by our student leaders. Rather than just walking by, the officers brought their observations to the staff, advocating for these 1st graders to be recognized with Benjamin Bucks.

Why Student Voice Matters

When older students take the time to notice and celebrate the successes of our "Little Bluejays," it creates a powerful ripple effect:

• Mentorship: 1st graders see firsthand what leadership looks like.

• Ownership: Students become active participants in maintaining a positive school climate.

• Community: It reinforces that we are all looking out for one another.

Celebrating our SOAR Stars

We are incredibly proud of our three 1st-grade recipients for their hard work and our Student Council officers for their keen eyes and leadership. These "Benjamin Bucks" represent more than just a prize; they represent the heart of our school community.

Keep SOARing, Bluejays!

🌟 A Family’s Experience at Jepson 🌟

There is nothing more powerful than hearing from families who trust us with their children.

This family found classrooms that were warm, welcoming, and truly engaging. Through hands-on projects, field trips, and individualized support, their children grew not just academically — but confidently.

At Benjamin Jepson, we believe:
• Every child should feel safe and cared for
• Learning should be meaningful and hands-on
• Growth happens when relationships come first

When families say their child exceeded expectations in reading and math — that’s academic excellence rooted in community.

We are proud to be a school where students are nurtured, challenged, and celebrated.

✨ Student Voice Matters at Jepson ✨
When our students talk about Jepson, they don’t start with test scores.
They start with kindness.
They start with friendship.
They start with feeling welcome.

At Benjamin Jepson, students are known, encouraged, and celebrated. From math bees and spirit days to Benjamin Bucks and classroom awards, learning here is joyful and motivating.

But what we love most?
When a student says, “I’ll be your very first friend.” 💙

That’s belonging.
That’s community.
That’s Bluejay pride.

Come see what makes our school so special.

Mentorship in Action: Bridging the Gap at Jepson

For the past week, our Student Council has been scouting the next generation of leaders! Each morning, we’ve invited two friends a day from Ms. Jill’s class to step up to the microphone and help lead our morning announcements.

This initiative is about so much more than just sharing daily news; it’s about fostering mentorship and a deep sense of community. By pairing our experienced Student Council members with Ms. Jill’s 1st and 2nd graders, we are:

✨ Building Confidence: Giving our youngest learners a platform to find their voices.

🤝 Creating Connections: Strengthening the bonds between grade levels.

🌟 Developing Leaders: Showing our older students how to lead with kindness, patience, and heart.

We are incredibly proud of how our Student Council has stepped up to bridge the gap, ensuring every student feels like a vital part of the Jepson family!

🎉 Stretch Growth Breakfast! 🎉

Today we celebrated 130 amazing students who hit the halfway mark toward their stretch growth goals!

Students enjoyed a special hot breakfast, won some fun prizes, and one lucky student even got to do a Benjamin Bucks Cash Grab — grabbing as much as he could!

We’re so proud of their hard work and excited for the growth still to come! 💙

Keep growing, Jepson! 🌱